Smashing!



It’s finally here, performing for— oh wait, wrong game. Still, Super Smash Bros is one of the biggest releases of the year, and while we’re still waiting for the Wii U version, the 3DS version will hold us over. The question is, “Should I get Smash Bros. for 3DS even though the Wii U version will be superior?” Well, I would say yes, but with a few disclaimers.

If you’re not living under a rock you know what Super Smash Bros. is, so I won’t explain in detail the gameplay. However there are a few notes I need to make on the differences of Smash for 3DS and the previous titles, Smash 64, Melee, and Brawl.

As I’ve mentioned in my Super Smash Bros. 3DS demo first impressions here Super Smash Bros. for 3DS is faster than Brawl, but just a little slower than Melee. I now understand when Sakurai said that this game would be friendly to both newcomers and competitive players alike.



The new Super Smash Bros. roster is plentiful with Nintendo icons to choose from; Mario, Donkey Kong, and Link among other classic characters are there, along with newer icons such as Shulk and Lucina.

The graphics look really good for the 3DS, the characters are quality and looks as good as Brawl in my opinion. The 3D is used perfectly; it's not too intensive but still looks nice. It seems like Nintendo has been lowering the strength of the 3D in their recent games compared to the ultra-intense Pilotwings Resort, a launch game.

Super Smash Bros. 3DS added something that I personally like but could be considered bad; and that is customizations of move sets and stats. You can now add up to three items that change three types of stats: speed, defense, and attack, to any playable character. Want to make a heavy character fast? Go right ahead! Want to have a killer attack? Sure thing! It’s a lot of fun coming up with different combos, and we haven’t even gotten to the move customizations.

Every character has three choices for each of their special moves, and they are surprisingly different than what I originally expected. With all of these choices, you could spend many hours just trying different combinations for one character.



There are Miis too, and they have even more combinations. Three different types of Mii fighters are available to choose from, and they have their three selections for their special moves. The customizations can be overwhelming sometimes, but remember you don’t have to use any of these if you don’t want to.

Classic mode is back with a twist: you can choose from multiple paths, so you have some choice of whom you want to fight next. Classic mode has a difficulty slider like Kid Icarus: Uprising, where the more difficult you set the slider, the higher the reward. Whether that is trophies, new custom moves, or coins you can use to get more trophies, there are tons of reward to collect.

All-star mode is back too; where you fight every unlocked character in batches based on what time period the character first appeared. Home-run contest, target smash, multi-man smash are all back, along with target blast, a new mode that is actually quite fun. All of these modes are welcomed, but will probably not be used very much by most Smash players.



There is a new mode that will be unique to the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. and that is smash run. You run around a fairly large map defeating enemies, like in the subspace emissary in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) when these enemies are defeated, they leave behind tokens of different kinds. These tokens will add to your stats such as jump, attack, defense, and speed. After five minutes of smash run, your stats will be added together, and you and your opponents will enter a contest. Sometimes it’s 300% smash, race to the finish, or who can climb the highest in a set amount of time. I really liked this mode, and play it at least once each session I play.

While all of these new and returning features are great, there is a major problem with Super Smash Bros. 3DS; there can be some serious lag while playing online. The lag ranges from none to the screen freezing up completely. Even though the lag is only temporary, it can be seriously annoying and can mess up the match.

There is another problem that is just as troubling; there have been reports of the circle pad breaking off of the 3DS. This isn’t Nintendo’s fault, however. As I covered this in the demo first impressions, my advice is as long as you are careful and don’t abuse the circle pad, it shouldn’t break.



There isn’t very much to keep Super Smash Bros. for 3DS down, and the major two problems may make you cautious; but don’t let them deter you from picking up this quality title, even if you plan on getting the Wii U version.

Main Pros: Nice roster, graphics and 3D are quality, gameplay lives up to expectation

Main Cons: Online lag is common, be careful with the circle pad

Score: 9.2